This is a rare species in Florida. Retain it if present. Shade tree. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Wildlife, Squirrels, racoons, deer and other animals eat the acorns. , Habitat, Upland pine forest, pine-oak-hickory woods, bayheads. Slopes. , Did You Know?, Larval host for the white-M hairstreak.

According to Kew Gardens, it is from Central America and probably Cuba and Florida.   After going through the photos and labels for specimens in the S , Tolerance, Unknown Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray. , Considertions, Noted for being weedy. , Habitat, Disturbed. Old orange groves, pasture, roadsides. May occur naturally along the west FL coast including shell mounds and dunes . All records for in , Did You Know?, Showy flowers